Integrative Lyme Disease Treatment Program

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. It is caused by the bacterium carried by this tick known as B. burgdorferi.

Although typically cured with antibiotic treatment, untreated Lyme disease can spread to the joints and other parts of the body causing mysterious symptoms that may be difficult to diagnose or mimic unrelated illness.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans.

Who Gets Lyme Disease?

Most commonly diagnosed in the Northeast, Pacific Northwest and Upper Midwest of the United States, Lyme disease was first noted in Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1975.

Although Lyme Disease is most often contracted by campers, hikers, and those who spend time outdoors in wooded areas it is possible to contract Lyme Disease outside of these circumstances.

What Are The Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

The symptoms of Lyme disease will vary between individuals and are dependent on the stage of infection. Lyme Disease progresses in three stages. These stages of infection are referred to as:

The early localized stage

The early disseminated stage

Late disseminated Lyme disease

Early Localized Stage

Lyme disease is cured most easily if detected and diagnosed in the early localized stage.

A 14-21 day course of antibiotics may be prescribed in the early localized stage to treat the infection. It is crucial to be aware of symptoms during this early stage of infection, including:

Fever

Chills

A ”bullseye” rash anywhere on the body, known as erythema migrans

Fatigue

Swollen lymph nodes

These symptoms may occur between three and 30 days after transmission via the initial tick bite. In some patients, early signs of infection may overlap between stages 1 and 2.

It is important to monitor any potential symptoms of Lyme disease in the early stages of infection. As mentioned above, untreated Lyme disease can produce mysterious symptoms that are difficult to diagnose and often mimic other illnesses.

Late Disseminated Lyme Disease

Later symptoms of infection may occur days to months after initial transmission. Left untreated, patients in Stage 3 Late disseminated Lyme disease may experience:

Severe headaches and neck stiffness

A spreading bullseye rash or other rashes on other areas of the body

Joint pain and arthritis, particularly in the knees

Bell’s palsy, a facial paralysis including loss of muscle tone or a droop on one or both sides of the face

Pain in tendons, muscles, joints, or bones

Lyme carditis (heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat)

Dizziness or shortness of breath

Possible inflammation of the brain and spinal cord

Neurological symptoms including numbness, tingling and shooting pains in the hands or feet

Problems with short-term memory

How Is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?

Lyme disease is most often diagnosed on the basis of these symptoms and physical findings including skin rash. In some cases, laboratory work will be conducted to confirm the diagnosis. Tests performed by your doctor to diagnose Lyme disease include:

Prevention: What Steps Can I Take To Avoid Contracting Lyme Disease?

To prevent Lyme disease, it is necessary to protect yourself from ticks and other insects.

Precautionary steps to take in the prevention of tick bites include using insect repellent, applying pesticides, avoiding certain habitats in which ticks are present and immediately removing any ticks found on your skin or clothing after brief or prolonged exposure to forests and wooded areas.